Simple decision making

[wren]

Ok, I feel like this is a bit silly. I have a hard time making simple decisions and I need to overcome it.

For example, I need to find a new dentist. My old dentist will not have a dialogue with me when I want to know about a procedure. He simply keeps trying to leave the room after every question.

I have dental insurance and there is a list of providers to choose from. I called one of them which happens to be a woman so I thought she would be more receptive. They told me how to go about getting them listed as my provider. The receptionist seemed nice. I even explained my issue with my old dentist and she seemed to understand.

My problem is that now when I sit down at the computer to make the switch with the dental insurance carrier and make it official, I start to worry that I am making the wrong choice. I find myself wanting an external source to tell me what to do and which to choose among this list of 10 dentists.

How can I be more decisive? How can I feel more sure of my choices?

[ar81]

Simple. Look for a close friend or relative who had used services of a good dentist. Be sure that service provided to them had the level of complexity you needed. Then you have a new dentist.

You would not give your money to anyone, you wouldn't do that with your health either.

[wren]

Problem is that I have to use one listed under my insurance plan. That's gonna be hit & miss. I had thought of going with a friend's suggestion definitely. That would be my initial course if I wasn't limited.

[sbdiane]

Sometimes you just have to take the next step. You know you don't like your current dentist. The next step is to switch. If you don't like your new dentist, you can always change again. You could even go back to the old dentist. What I'm not saying very well is that a decision is rarely ever a once and for all thing.

[wren]

sbdiane,

Thanks. You hit the nail on the head, that is where I was getting stuck... thinking that the decision was forever. So, I will go check out this new dentist and see how it goes.

Even before I read your post today, I have a much more positive feeling about trying the new dentist out.

namaste

[James45]

Glad you got this challenge solved!

Although be conscious of this pattern in other areas of you life. I use to hold the limiting subconscious belief: my decisions, once made, can never be changed. This, as you can imagine, stems from somewhat of a perfectionist mindset and can lead you into needless, frustrating states of indecision.

Realise this and remember your decisions are never set in stone, there are always alternatives if you look for them.

[Just7Things]

Something that I do automatically, but colleagues have told me is helpful to know:

For your external source, use your 'gut'/ 'little voice'. If you find yourself having feelings/ thoughts about things which seem to come to a conclusion then accept it as you would a trusted friend's advice: you'll rarely be wrong..

[wren]

Thanks for your input James45 & Just7Things.

James45:

This is definitely a pattern I've held in the past and now that I'm aware of what the problem was, I feel I can correct it easily. Gratefully, I'm finally letting go of that tendency towards perfectionism.

[Susie]

The receptionist seemed nice.

And? Maybe you should have talked to the dentist if you wanted to be sure before you made your decision. Otherwise it's just a gamble, but in this case as others have said, it's not like it's a big deal to switch dentists again if needed.

[dbstraight]

Just go in for a cleaning even if you don't need one and see how she is.